I love Andrew Grey's books.... It amazes me that he can handle such a deep story, abuse and rape, with such a light hand. It really is a gentle love story between Paytah and Bryce, but underneath is the true story of the fight of the Native Americans. Both Bryce and Paytah are lonely and damaged, one due to the loss of a lover, one due to childhood abuse. They are so ready for each other but scared to reach out. When they do, it is sweet and gentle and healing for both of them. The story of the Native American tribe that runs through this book and the first in the series, well written, well-developed characters, fun in parts, dark and sad in others. A really fantastic book! ( )

So, it takes a LOT to get my eyes to water, let alone cry, over a book, movie, song, etc.. This book had my at the brink of tears within the first chapter. If you read book one, you’re already invested in Bryce. But then he gets utterly destroyed. It was brutal and heart wrenching and so sweet. I don’t know how to explain this one though bc the emotional blows just kept slamming home. The realities and fight exposed in this addition is also shattering. I can’t explain better without giving away key points of the story so I will shut up. I really like this story though.

**** TRIGGERS - death, extreme abuse and mental manipulation.**** ( )

In my experience, it is fairly rare that a sequel is as good as the first book, if not better, and touches me in the same way and to the same degree. 'The Good Fight' and 'The Fight Within' are both amazing books, with a message of justice needing to be told that is as emotional as it is important. The characters in this second book, Bryce and Paytah, have each suffered, but soldiered on and tried to make the best of their lives under difficult circumstances. Only when they meet can they fulfill their true potential, and as tough as it is for each of them to let the other get close, as rewarding does it become when they succeed.

As in the first book, the characters' story is central to the plot, but the harsh reality of life on a Native American reservation, even in the twenty-first century, is never far away. The way Andrew addresses poverty and some of the exploitation that goes on was sensitive, but made very clear how wrong it is. There are people who will use their power over grants, their money and influence to take advantage of children in the worst way, and thankfully they get their just rewards in this book. Unfortunately, reality isn’t always so ideal, and this book is a good reminder of some of the emotional fallout when things don’t go as they morally should.

Bryce has suffered an awful loss, and it takes him a long time to start getting over it. His friends John (who is also his boss in the IT business he works in) and Jerry, John's partner, almost have to force Bryce to go camping with them. But taking Bryce to the reservation where John grew up is exactly what Bryce needs. When he meets Paytah, who runs the tribe's trading post, it isn’t love at first sight by any stretch of the imagination. They have some prejudices to overcome and then personal issues to work out that would have lesser men give up. But not these two. They are well suited for each other and I loved how supportive Bryce is of Paytah. It gives the stubborn Native American a reason to rethink his attitude and learn how to stand up for himself.

I also enjoyed seeing Jerry and John again, and finding out how they and the kids have been faring since the end of book one. The other characters were wonderful additions, and each member of the tribe who gets involved in Bryce's scheme had a special contribution to make. The message of hope for everyone was amazing and very uplifting.

As in the first book, Andrew Grey has taken on the telling of a socially important story with "The Fight Within". He makes the issue clear, treats the implications with care and sensitivity, and, hopefully, will make every reader realize that even in the early twenty-first century blatant mismanagement of an entire people's interests is still happening. It infuriates and saddens me in equal measure. Thank you, Andrew, for taking on this subject, and for giving this issue your time, and these people a voice. Like after reading the first book, I find myself hoping that you will continue adding stories, making this a truly meaningful series about justice long overdue.

Suppression and exploitation is never right, and if you want to find out more, handed to you in the form of an interesting story full of amazing characters, please buy and read this book. I can only repeat what I said about the first book: I think it is well worth every cent you spend on it, and every minute of your reading time will be well invested!




NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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I was almost used to an Andrew Grey’s novel, setting in a pretty small town or in an old fashioned ranch, that this new series caught me by surprise. The Fight Within is almost entirely developed in a Native American reservation, and this alone gained major points from me since I have always been interested in those reservations and the today life. You have a lot of historic essays and even some novels, but current life is often overlooked in favor of old notions.

Bryce is a recent widower (actually his partner died days before their marriage but the ceremony was only something formal to make it legal what they already consider a status quo); even if still mourning, Bryce knows that his late partner wouldn’t have wanted for him to do that forever, and so when Bryce meets Paytah, he knows it’s time to look ahead to another future. The trouble is that Paytah is coming out from an abusive past and he is scared to love again (or better to love for the first time, since what he went through before is as much as far from love you can imagine).

Another difference I noticed from previous experiences with the same author is that the sex part of the novel is not so much on center stage; sure, the two main characters will arrive to share also the physical aspect of their relationship, but maybe due to the sensitive matter the novel is dealing with (child abuse), the author decided to let it being late into the novel and not so explicit. I quite appreciate this soft touch, it was right for the context.

I liked that here the strength of the men lied not in their physical body, but more in their upbringing and self-consciousness: while Bryce is hurting, he comes from a supporting family and circle of friends, and so he is strong enough to overcome his loss; on the other side, while Paytah is apparently the stronger man, big and sturdy, he is actually the one who needs help because his hurting is deep and still bleeding inside.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1623804000/?tag=elimyrevandra-20